Hibiscus sabdariffa

Jamaican sorrel, roselle (var. sabdariffa)

A bushlike annual up to 2 m high that is extensively cultivated in tropical countries for the dark-red calyces surrounding the fruit. This material is the basis of a red nonalcoholic drink that is very popular in many countries. The leaves and seeds can be used as feeds, but they are not very palatable owing to their acid taste. Greenstem kenaf (var. altissima)

A rigorous high-yielding annual 3-5 m tall and practically unbranched. Cultivated for its fibres which are similar to those of jute and can be used for paper pulping. The leaves and tops accumulate as by-products. The young leaves, rich in digestible protein, can either be fed fresh or be dried and used as a substitute for lucerne leaf meal. This variety is palatable and has been used as the sole protein feed for ruminants and as a carotene source for layers.

					As % of dry matter
				DM	CP	CF	Ash	EE	NFE	Ca	P	Ref
Sorrel leaves,
India				13.8	12.3	7.8	7.4	7.8	64.7	1.31	0.28	407
Sorrel seeds,
Jamaica				91.5	21.4	12.0	5.4	17.5	43.7	0.61	0.32	154
Kenaf tops,
Thailand					30.1	10.9	9.1	1.9	48.0			537
Kenaf leaves,
Thailand					25.7	11.4	10.6	3.3	49.0			"